Welcome a little one by making your own baby album! A DIY baby album or baby memory book makes for a lovely gift for expectant mothers - or why not make a baby album to celebrate their 1st birthday?
Here are some of designer Ruth Hamilton's top tips for making your own baby album or baby memory book:
- Choose papers and die-cuts which all coordinate and keep to the theme – it could be vintage, modern or cute!
- Add a lot of little inserts, pockets and surprises inside your baby album.
- Leave spaces to add photos or notes.
- Use a mixture of patterned papers with a plain coloured card to keep everything coordinated.
- Extra detail and interest can be added in the form of ribbons and gems.
Want some free patterned paper? Take a look at our ever-growing collection of free patterned papers, there are lots to choose from and there are lots of different themes. We love these free new baby papers or how about these adorable new baby printables!
We love seeing what you make with our free printable papers, so don’t forget to share your cards and papercraft projects with us on Facebook and Twitter, too.
Score two pieces of 145 x 95mm white card 15mm from one long edge and both short edges. Trim diagonally where the fold lines cross, then fold the scored sections under.Glue patterned paper onto the front of each pocket.Punch a semi-circle from the centre of the top edge. Attach one pocket to the top centre panel of the album, glue some ephemera (we’ve gone for an ABC collectable) to the front and place the ‘Birth Record’ inside. If you’re making this baby album for a gift – why not include a picture of the mother-to-be instead?
Score 115 x 298mm of white card into four equal sections along the length. Mountain and valley fold, and round the corners. Attach five 110 x 70mm pieces of patterned paper with rounded corners to each section and the front.Add two 240mm lengths of ribbon to the back, and attach to the bottom centre of the album. Embellish with more ephemera, then tie closed.
Score and fold two 180 x 115mm pieces of aqua card 15mm from the short edge. Attach by the tabs inside left and right of the album. Cover with patterned paper and add pocket from step four to the panel on the right.Place some postcards and a ‘remember’ note inside. Embellish with more ephemera. Attach a 115 x 165mm piece of patterned paper under the panel, covering the tab at the top. Add a feature piece of ephemera – we’ve opted for a pram!
Attach a piece of patterned paper to the top of the inside left flap. Cut a sentiment – we’ve gone for ‘Every baby is a blessing’, and attach it to the panel with double-sided tape.Stick some adhesive gems to the flowers. Add a few more pieces of ephemera where you feel appropriate. Attach a 115 x 165mm piece of patterned paper under the flap, and glue another image to the top left (we’ve gone for ‘It’s a boy’) and the ‘Notes’ banner to the bottom right.
Attach a 110 x 165mm piece of patterned paper to the back right panel. Cut a sentiment – we’ve chosen a ‘Be little and dream big’ sentiment and attach it to the centre with double-sided tape.Glue another sentiment to the top right – we’ve gone for ‘Tiny and Sweet’ and a piece of ephemera to the bottom left. Add some adhesive gems then fold album closed and tie together to finish.
